Roof Restorations

On August 24, we acquired Quest Construction Products (QCP), a former division of Quest Specialty Chemicals and North America’s largest supplier of liquid-applied roofing systems, roof coatings, and pavement-coating solutions. The acquisition immediately puts GAF in the leadership position of an expanding product category known for its reflectivity, ease of application, and cost-efficiency.

QCP will accelerate the robust growth of the GAF commercial roofing business, which has also benefitted from recent investments to increase production capacity in insulation (ISO) as well as TPO and PVC single-ply membranes. QCP’s differentiated brands enhance GAF’s ability to provide you with the broadest range of solutions to the unique challenges faced by building owners.

Moving forward, we plan to leverage the brand equity associated with the HydroStop PremiumCoat® system, the United Coatings line of coating solutions, and the StreetBond™ line of pavement coatings. Adding these brands to our portfolio will help add them to yours. It will serve to strengthen your strategic relationship with building owners. Owners will be able to utilize these products on their properties across the country. We also see great potential in QCP’s strategically positioned geographic footprint and unique technical expertise in the field.

All of these factors offer major benefits to our contractors. GAF looks forward to helping our customers further differentiate and empower themselves with the latest high-tech, environmental, and efficient products available in the market.

We recently published a blog post on the history of TPO roofing membranes. As noted, the very first TPO roof in the United States was installed in 1986. Since that beginning, the membrane has come a long way. The ASTM specification has been strengthened many times and warranties have been extended. In fact, it’s now the largest-volume membrane in North America to the tune of over one billion square feet per year. However, some online discussions question how TPO is put together and how it really performs. Let’s take a look at some of the concerns about TPO:

“There is no TPO on the market with a consistent formulation.”

The TPO polymer (the basic chemical used to manufacture TPO membranes) has remained the same since around 2000. In fact, one supplier accounts for over 90% of the polymer used by all membrane manufacturers. That material has never been changed.

Stabilizers are materials added to protect the TPO sheet from UV and heat exposure. Over the years, better stabilizers have become available and many membrane manufacturers have taken advantage of them.

I can’t speak to what other companies have done. However, at GAF, we were very pleased with our membrane performance and didn’t see the need to change the formulation. Based on lessons learned developing our EverGuard Extreme® Membrane, we added some additional stabilizers to our regular EverGuard® Membrane sheet a few years ago.

“The warranties are really impressive, but TPO hasn’t been around long enough to know that it will last.”

First of all, remember the length of a product’s warranty is not a guarantee of how long the product will last, but rather how long the manufacturer’s obligations will last in the event of certain product defects covered by the warranty.

There is now a substantial amount of installed TPO, especially from the three manufacturers who have been supplying the material since the early 2000s (or before).

Roof inspections, as part of warranty and maintenance programs, show that for the most part, the membrane is holding up very well. In fact, it’s because of real-world performance that manufacturers have felt comfortable extending warranties.

As manufacturers understood how the membrane was performing over the past 20 years, improvements have been made:

Better stabilizers were added to address heat-aging concerns.

An improved thickness over scrim requirement was added to the ASTM D6878 TPO roofing specification. This means the weathering layer thickness specification was tightened up.

My advice when reading statements about formulation changes is to consider the following:

Manufacturer’s reputation – have you had consistently good results using product from the manufacturer, and does that manufacturer have a solid reputation within the industry?

Any product, from cars to cell phones to computers, gets improved as new technology becomes available. I’m certain that building owners expect to get the best membrane that can be made today–not formulations from decades ago.

Always remember that good installation is critical for the long-term performance of a roof. The membrane is important, but the installers need to be experienced with whatever membrane has been chosen.

There are many factors and considerations that go into creating a low-slope roofing proposal in terms of the insulation. In 2015, the IECC raised the amount of insulation needed on a roof for much of the United States. It is critical that you choose the right amount of insulation to meet the R-value set for your climate zone. These higher standards can be met more easily with ISO than any other insulation. Polyiso has the highest design R-value (5.7 at one inch thickness) compared to XPS and EPS, which make it the most efficient insulation board on the market. However, in addition to the required R-values, there are three other significant issues that need to be addressed in every proposal. Condensation, puncturing, and ponding water can negatively impact the life expectancy of a roof if they are not considered when the roof is being designed.

Condensation. Avoiding condensation in a roof design is critical for protecting the interior of a building and maximizing the life of the roof system. It can damage the substrate and potentially shorten the life expectancy of a roof. Polyiso is an effective vapor retarder compared to fiber/wool insulation, which is not. In addition, by using two layers of staggered polyiso insulation coupled with the right thickness of insulation, you are not only preventing thermal bridging but also limiting the pathways that moisture can travel along to the membrane.

Puncturing. Compressive strength of the insulation serves two purposes: to provide a level substrate for a membrane to be attached and to protect the roof membrane. Foot traffic is inevitable on any roof, so having a higher psi insulation provides more support to the membrane to help extend its life. For roofs that have heavy roof traffic, a cover board is recommended. Polyiso comes in a high-density cover board with a psi rating of 80 psi and up to help meet that specification. And since it is lightweight and easier to fabricate than a gypsum board, it offers an outstanding installed cost advantage. Another benefit of using an HD cover board is that it helps in absorbing impact during a hailstorm unlike a gypsum board, which crumbles due to its rigidity. Polyiso and HD polyiso require less equipment, time, and labor to install compared to other insulation or cover boards.

Ponding Water. If water doesn’t evaporate after 48 hours or longer it is considered ponding water. This is bad news for a roof as it increases the weight load, which can cause leaks or even a deck to collapse. It also collects dirt and debris that can damage or accelerate erosion of the surface of a roofing membrane. Integrating a tapered polyiso system into your roof design, which provides slope to the membrane above, allows you to direct the water off the roof to the gutters and drains and help improve the roof’s life expectancy.

Understanding and proactively addressing these issues will result in building a stronger relationship with a building owner as they will know that you are protecting their investment. To learn more about the benefits and uses of polyiso insulation, please visit the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association website at www.pima.org.

Roofing is a tough, competitive field and economic conditions make it a challenge for some companies to get ahead. Here are some tips on how to stand out in a crowded industry, beat out the competition, and land morejobs.

Blaze a new trail. Innovation is one way to make your mark. Find something that sets you apart – something your competitors don’t have. Maybe it’s a new service or a promotion you offer or the use of technology that can help you sell easier in front of homeowners. Take a look at the various GAF apps that can help you do just that.

Have the right sales team. Take a hard look at your sales strategy. Do you know your sales team’s close rate? Do you have the right image for the business? If you’re not getting jobs, think about who is doing your selling. Are they dressing the part? Are they personal, professional, genuine, and empathetic? And are they all following the same sales procedure? If you’re doing the selling yourself, consider hiring a fresh, eager face to take care of sales while you focus on getting the work done behind the scenes.

Be credible. In a business like roofing, there are plenty of people who do dishonest things and ruin it for the good guys. Work on building up your credibility and encourage your customers to complete online reviews and testimonials and use those quotes in both your printed and online materials. Another way to increase credibility is to put your name out there by helping with a local charity or getting an article in the paper citing your authority and expertise.

Be customer focused. Make sure you and your team are talking to customers and are responsive to their needs. Homeowners will choose a contractor who offers great service by answering their calls in a timely manner and explaining options and solutions clearly. In return, they will appreciate the attention and likely recommend you to others. Demonstrate the value you offer as a way to differentiate yourself.

Move on. You’re not going to get every job and if you’re making sales calls with no response, find a better strategy. Focus on other prospects and don’t dwell on the jobs you didn’t get. Instead, look deeper and figure out why you didn’t win the bid in the first place and try to change the next pitch to accommodate that issue.

Taking a hard look at your strategy and business process and making some changes may be just what you need to stand out from the competition and close those leads.

If you’re looking for another way to differentiate yourself with homeowners, look no further than Glenwood™ Shingles, the most authentic wood shake-look shingles you can buy.

Many homeowners love the look of authentic wood shakes, but they may be apprehensive about purchasing them due to their limited color and style options, lower fire resistance (when untreated), and higher cost and maintenance. Now homeowners can get the wood-shake look they want with all the benefits of an asphaltic shingle with Glenwood™ Shingles. Glenwood™ Shingles feature a triple-layer design that gives the roof the ultra-dimensional look of authentic hand-cut wood shakes, helping homeowners distinguish their home from the rest.

Glenwood™ Shingles are affordable compared to traditional wood shakes. The shingle is available in six complementary colors, has the highest fire rating (UL Class A), and is warranted to withstand winds up to 130 mph.*

**The word “Lifetime” refers to the length of coverage provided by the GAF Shingle & Accessory Ltd. Warranty (refer to the actual warranty for complete coverage and restrictions), and means as long as the original individual owner(s) of a single–family detached residence [or the second owner(s) in certain circumstances] owns the property where the shingles are installed. For owners/structures not meeting the above criteria, Lifetime coverage is not applicable.

If you think your business is safe from internal theft because you’re a small business, think again. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, small organizations are victims of fraud more than larger ones. Much of that stems from the fact that larger organizations have more resources to put fraud protection programs in place, while small businesses can be vulnerable.

Employee theft or embezzlement could come in the form of manipulating expense reports, stealing supplies or equipment, or accessing private company information from computer files. All of these are serious offenses, so how can you prevent theft from occurring in your workplace? We are not lawyers, human resources professionals or security consultants, and what I’m saying is for general information only and is not to be construed as legal advice, but here are some things to consider when it comes to safeguarding your materials and information.

Hire honest workers. While all companies strive to do this, sometimes it’s not that easy. Before you hire, conduct pre-employment background checks. This would uncover criminal activity, lawsuits, and serious driving violations that could raise flags if found. You should also confirm education and past employment. (Note: Members of GAF’s Certified Contractor Program have special access to a background screening service.)

Create a good work environment. A fair company that has a clear organization with policies and procedures in place, open communication between business levels, and employee recognition can help reduce theft.

Set up controls. Have a system of checks and balances and authorization for financial transactions. Make sure every transaction is properly recorded.

Create an anonymous reporting system. Encourage employees to act as whistleblowers and anonymously report any violations they witness.

Audit yourself. While regular audits are needed, unscheduled ones can point out issues before they otherwise would have become apparent.

Look for signs. Employees who are more apt to commit fraud typically don’t feel appreciated, think management is unfair, and feel that they are owed something. Other signs include changes in behavior, debt, missing records, and working alone or late. While these aren’t telltale signs, they are ones you should monitor.

Investigate incidents immediately. Reduce even more losses by looking into incidents right away before they escalate.

Manage inventory and supplies. Keep track of materials used either by computer or a designated person or use RFID tags to track tools. Businesses can also install security cameras to monitor materials.

Be a good leader. Owners need to set an example by also following the rules and being held accountable for their actions.

If you do suspect fraud, accumulate your evidence and contact the authorities.

The recommended insulation R-values for commercial roofing continue to increase and save energy costs. States adopt these recommendations at different speeds, but the bottom line is that insulation is becoming more important than ever.

The following table shows how ASHRAE (American Society for Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) have promoted greater insulation over the past decade. For example, back in 2004 in zone 5, the equivalent of 2.6 inches of polyiso insulation was recommended compared to 6.0 inches of polyiso in 2015.

Minimum Above Deck Roof R-Values

Climate Zone

ASHRAE 90.1-2004/IECC 2006

ASHRAE 90.1-2007/IECC 2009

ASHRAE 90.1-2009

ASHRAE 90.1-2010

IECC 2012

ASHRAE 90.1-2013

IECC 2015

1

10

15

20

15

20

25

25

2

15

20

25

20

20

25

25

3

15

20

25

20

20

25

25

4

15

20

25

20

25

30

30

5

15

20

25

20

25

30

30

6

15

20

30

20

30

30

30

7

15

20

35

20

35

35

35

8

15

20

35

20

35

35

35

There are various types of insulation boards that are used with single–ply and asphaltic membranes.

The choice is generally between polyisocyanurate (polyiso), extruded polystyrene (XPS), or mineral fiber board. So, which is best for your project? A good place to start with any comparison is with the ASTM specifications, with some of the key values shown here:

Property

Polyiso – ASTM C1289

XPS – ASTM D578

Mineral Fiber Board – ASTM C726

R-value (board thickness), minimum

11.4 (2-inch)
17.4 (3-inch)
23.6 (4-inch)

10.0 (2-inch)
15.0 (3-inch)
20.0 (4-inch)

Not specified; provided by individual manufacturers

Compressive Strength, psi

>16 psi (Grade 1)
>20 psi (Grade 2)
>25 psi (Grade 3)

>15 psi (Type X)
>25 psi (Type IV)

>7 psi

Water Vapor Permeance

<1.5 Perms

<1.5 Perms

Not specified; provided by individual manufacturers

Flexural Strength, psi

>40

>40 (Type X)
>50 (Type IV)

Not specified

Tensile Strength, psf

500

Not specified

450

Water Absorption, max %

1.5

0.3

5

Partly due to the popularity of polyiso, its published R-values have been subjected to a fair amount of scrutiny. As a result, the values shown in the table represent long-term thermal resistance (LTTR) measurements and are equivalent to a time-weighted thermal design R-value for 15 years. The manufacturers have created an independent testing and verification program to certify that these values are met.

For mineral fiber board, R-values vary between supplier, but are around R 4.0/inch, significantly less than for polyiso. Extruded polystyrene (XPS) is somewhat lower than polyiso.

There are a number of factors that are very important to the installer and building owner, but are not part of the specifications. Some of the key attributes are shown here:

Property

Polyiso

XPS

Mineral Fiber Board

Moisture Control

Good

Good

Poor

Fire Performance

Very Good

Melts, contains brominated fire retardants

Excellent

Solvent Resistance

Very Good

Poor

Very Good

Ease of Cutting

Very Good

Very Good

Difficult

Weight & Ease of Handling

Very Good

Very Good

Poor

Over the past several years or more, there’s been a lot of debate about moisture condensation under single–ply membranes. Polyiso and XPS can both be regarded as vapor retarders. However, mineral fiber is very porous and care needs to be taken to avoid having condensation issues. It’s recommended that a system consultant and/or engineer be involved to make sure that moisture vapor migration is properly controlled if mineral fiber insulation is used.

Finally, it’s worth noting the upper temperature limits for some of these products. Mineral fiber board obviously has very high upper use-temperature limits, but polyiso will also remain very stable at any expected rooftop temperatures. However, as noted in the polystyrene ASTM C578 specification, XPS is not intended to be used for sustained end-use temperatures above 165°F. As GAF has demonstrated, membrane temperatures for darker roofs can easily reach 190°F and beyond! Those temperatures could degrade any XPS being used under darker membranes or in close proximity.

Whatever your preferred choice of insulation board, it’s clear that the amount of insulation required by building codes is going to keep increasing. On balance, after reviewing the specifications and pros and cons of each material, polyiso foam is an excellent option.

You may think it’s the business owner, but the receptionist is the most important person in the office. He or she serves as the face and voice of the company and is often the first person your potential clients interact with – so it’s important that the receptionist makes a great first impression. Here are some things to think about when hiring or training a receptionist.

Do you want this person to emanate a casual or more professional feel? That will determine whether they should dress in jeans or corporate attire.

Phone etiquette. Determine how they should answer the phones. Have a script so each call is answered consistently. Ensure that the receptionist sounds welcoming and pleasant with each and every call.

A receptionist is also part marketer and customer service rep, as they will need to be able to help qualify the leads that come from inbound calls. A script with questions will help them categorize perspective jobs. You may also want the receptionist to follow up with past customers to get feedback and keep up the relationship.

A receptionist needs to have a positive attitude because it sends a message to potential clients that the company is interested in working with them. They have to be able to put people at ease in person and do it with a smile on their face. In addition, they need to be helpful and knowledgeable about the company and willing to answers any questions that may come up.

A receptionist should be highly organized with the ability to balance many varied tasks. They are the go-to person and can help make the office run smoothly and efficiently.

A receptionist needs to be dependable. Arriving late to work means that ringing phones are not being answered. A receptionist is counted on to be there when needed and respond to correspondence promptly, reliably, and accurately.

Being a good listener is one of the most important qualities of a good receptionist. Getting the information quickly from a potential customer and responding or routing them to the right person is critical. Receptionists need to look people in the eye and assure them that their needs are being addressed.

Take the time to properly explain your expectations and the various tasks they need to perform, so they know how to do the job correctly and continue to succeed and grow at the company.

You may have decided to protect your commercial building with a strong roof warranty, but that’s not the end of the story. It’s common sense that in order for something to last, you need to maintain it. We call on a professional to service our cars, we replace batteries in smoke alarms, and make other fixes to maintain quality and safety.

A property’s low-slope roof system must be maintained or there is risk for costly damage and leaks. Plus, the strong guarantee coverage you acquired could be jeopardized without a maintenance program. So who should handle the job? There’s no question that using a Certified Maintenance Professional (CMP) to take care of maintenance will save you time and money and ensure that you’ll have many years of reliable service. Here are 5 reasons why a GAF CMP is your best and only choice to maintain your building’s roof. A CMP will:

Help reduce the risk of unexpected and costly roofing-related expenses by providing the expertise to both maintain and service the roof if repairs are necessary

Inspect the exterior and interior areas, roof perimeter, and the field of the roof including drainage, penetrations and joints, perform yearly inspections to ward off potential problems, and check the roof for damage after a major storm or heavy winds

Improve the reflective performance of cool roofs by making sure the area is clean

Provide access to GAF’s unique WellRoof® Program and guarantee extension (a 25% extension to GAF’s Diamond Pledge™ NDL Roof Guarantee at no cost to you, after you establish an annual maintenance program—see WellRoof Program for details).

Provide documentation to you and GAF that repairs have been made (to uphold a warranty’s contract).

More than 80% of all roofs are replaced prematurely* because of problems that occur before they reach their anticipated lifespan, but that number can be reduced through regular, preventative roof maintenance. Avoid the hassle and worry and let a CMP proactively take care of your building’s investment.